Evidence that church schools are routinely discriminating against Christians as well as those of other faiths and no faiths came to light today, with the news that a girl has been turned down for a place at a Wrexham faith school.

The simplistic mentality that presumes you can only be ‘for’ or ‘against’ things in their undifferentiated totality makes developing a rather more credible reform agenda on faith schools a tough proposition – but all the more necessary.

In the face of growing pressure for inclusive schooling in Ireland and outrage over the latest child abuse scandals involving Catholic orders, bishops in Ireland are defiantly seeking to maintain their grip on schooling in the country.

Inclusive schools coalition Accord has welcomed the launch of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation's new education project, but questioned whether schools that discriminate in their admissions can ever live up to its principles.